BhaiPapa

Dukhad Vidaadi-Sorrowful Farewell

Edward was left with the heartbreaking responsibility of dropping Anna back home after their daring escape from Goa. The journey back was silent, and as they got closer to her hostel, he couldn't help but feel more and more depressed. Edward could still feel the echoes of their recent escape from Goa in the stillness of the night. The weight of his feelings became too much for him to handle that evening as he sought comfort at the bottom of a bottle. When Edward told his friends how he felt about Anna, he was intoxicated and spoke incoherently. Why he had to leave her behind was beyond his comprehension. "Guys,main use kyon chod raha hoon? Har cheez hamesha isi tarah kyon honi chaahiye(why am I giving up her? Why must everything always be this way?)" As they stood around him and observed their always upbeat and happy friend in this condition of misery, his friends' faces were etched with anguish. His ever-faithful pal Ranbir spoke forward, his expression showing genuine concern. Raj, ever the peacemaker, added a quiet remark. "Hum hamesha logo ko khush dekhana chaahate hai aur hum is kshetr mein saphal hue hai. Yah us gyaan ka aanand lene ka samay hai jisaka hum par prabhaav pada hai(We've always wanted to see people happy, and we've succeeded in that area. It's time to rejoice in the knowledge that we've had an impact.)" Edward felt the compassionate Deepak's hand resting reassuringly on his shoulder. "Edward,isame aap akele nahi hai. Hum aapake dost hai, aur hum hamesha aapake liye maujood rahenge(you're not by yourself in this. We are your friends, and we will always be there for you.)" Seeing his friend in this state made Darsh sorrowful. Tears started to come, mixed with grief and gratitude towards his friends, who had supported him through good times and bad. The unspoken love he had for Anna was weighing hard on his heart, and his emotions were raw and open as he faced the situation. Edward took comfort in his friends' hugs during this tender moment of tears, remembering that their Happy Club was a friendship that would see them through life's ups and downs rather than just a purpose. Unwavering in his belief that Rahul loved Anna, Darsh asked Edward to make the decision to act independently. In order to better understand Rahul and the depth of his feelings for Anna, he asked to meet with him. Edward met Rahul, an imposing bodybuilder, face-to-face the following day. Edward used the conversation to get a sense of Rahul's personality and goals. "Main tumhe tumhaare Papa ke baare mein bataata hoon, Rahul. Hamaare shahar ke meyar hone ke saath-saath, unhone aapake diaper badale, aapaka pahala kadam uthaane mein aapaki sahaayata ki aur har sukh-dukh mein aapake saath khade rahe(Let me tell you about your father, Rahul. Along with  being our town's mayor, he changed your diapers, assisted you in taking your first steps, and stood by you through thick and thin.)" Rahul nodded and listened intently, but his answer caught him off guard. "Meri nanny ne vaastav mein mere liye vah saara kaam poora kiya. Mere Papa vyast the. Haalaanki, unhone mujhe taash khelana sikhaaya(My nanny actually completed all of that work for me. My father was busy. However, he taught me how to play cards.)" Startled by the differences, Edward enquired further about Raj's father and his decisions. "Tum itane adbhut Papa ko kyon chhodoge, Rahul(Why would you leave such an amazing dad, Rahul?)" Rahul answered without hesitation, his eyes displaying a determined glare. "Anna ke liye main kuch bhi tyaag kar sakata hoon. Main hamesha use kisi bhi any cheej se jyaada pyaar karoonga(For Anna, I would sacrifice anything. I'll always love her more than anything else.)" Edward nodded, starting to realize how deeply Rahul was devoted to Anna. The elaborate love narrative that had developed was further enhanced by the complex web of sacrifices and personal stories that encircled them. Their encounter was a start toward knowing each other, but as they walked away, it was obvious that there would be no easy wins in the struggle for Anna's heart. When the moon shone its silvery radiance the next night, Edward was behind the wheel again, ready to drop Rahul and Anna off at the train station. There were a lot of unspoken feelings in the air, and Edward couldn't help but look at their faces to make sure everything was alright. They appeared to have a reflective moment while they were sitting in the car on their way to the train station. Edward felt compelled to discuss something that had been on his mind for some time. "Kya aap bata sakate hai ki college ke dino mein Rahul aur Anna aap dono mein pyaar kaise ho gaya? Mujhe aapaki prem kahaani mein dilachaspi hai(Could you elaborate on how you two fell in love during your time at college, Rahul and Anna? I'm interested in your love story.)" With a twinkle in her eyes, Anna started to narrate their adventure. "College vah jagah hai jahaan se yah sab shuru hua. Main bas ek shaant, kitaabi ladaki thi aur Rahul ek aakarshak aadami tha jo hamesha logo se ghira rahata tha. Hamaari kuch kakshaon ke dauraan, vah aksar mere bagal mein baithate the aur chutakule sunaate the jisase mujhe hansi aati thi(College is where it all began. I was just a quiet, bookish girl, and Rahul was this charming man who was always surrounded by people. Throughout our few classes together, he would frequently sit next to me and crack jokes that would make me laugh.)" Rahul laughed to himself recalling those times.  Curious and a little confused, Rahul saw Edward's name next to Anna's on the list. He couldn't help but wonder about this surprising finding. "Mein mere naam ke bajaay Anna ke naam ke saath kyon hai? Kya ho raha hai(Why are you on the list with Anna's name rather than mine, Edward? What is happening?)" With a comforting grin, Edward attempted to calm Rahul's worries by explaining why he was on the list. "Rahul,yah sab aapaki suraksha ke liye kiya gaya hai. Choonki aap lokapriy hain, mujhe laga ki yaatra ke liye suraksha ki ek atirikt parat rakhana ek achcha vichaar ho sakata hai(it's all done for your protection. Since you are popular, I figured it might be a good idea to have an additional layer of security for the trip.)" With sorrow in her eyes, Anna struggled to get over the feeling that she had to say goodbye to Edward. She had a sensation that this parting was hurting him too, even though she had no idea what his feelings were. "Yah avishvasaneey hai ki hum tumhe peechhe chhod rahe hain, Edward. Aapaki bahut yaad aaegi(It's unbelievable that we're leaving you behind, Edward. You're going to be badly missed.)" Anna's remarks broke Edward's heart, and he yearned to convey how deeply he felt. Even if Anna wasn't happy with him, he still wanted to see her smile. "Anna,tumhe meri khushi ki chaahat ka ehasaas hai. Mere liye, bas yahi maayane rakhata hai. Hamesha khush raho(you are aware of my desire for your happiness. To me, that's all that matters. Always be happy.)" Raj was ecstatic as they arrived at the train station. Their laughter echoed as he scooped Anna off her feet and whirled her around with a triumphant grin. Edward waved goodbye with a melancholy look as the three buddies said their goodbyes on the busy train platform. Knowing that he was sending Anna off with the person she loved while his own love remained unsaid and unacknowledged made his heart hurt. Edward was left by himself in his car after the train had departed and vanished into the distance. He was troubled by the weight of his unsaid emotions, the reverberations of their laughing, and the memories of their time together. He started crying and was unable to control them in the privacy of his car. He allowed himself to weep for the love he had kept concealed as the anguish of unfulfilled love engulfed him. Edward spent the next two days by himself, burying his grief in the warmth of his recollections of Anna. He was in excruciating pain as he relived their priceless times together, pieces of a lovely dream. In his head, their recollections looped like a melancholic symphony. He recalled how their first meeting had taken place at the airport, characterized by a heated quarrel. He had been attracted and frustrated by Anna's fiery passion and drive, and on that day, their bond had been formed. 

Flashback to the airport:

"Kya aapako sach mein lagata hai ki aap sabake saamane is tarah se apani baat kaat sakate hai(You really think you can just cut in front of everyone like that?)" said an angry Anna. "Yahi kaaran hai ki tumane mera saamana kiya(This is the reason you faced me.)" "Achcha, mainne is pankti mein aapaka naam nahi dekha, hai na?(Well, I didn't see your name on this line, did I?)" laughs Edward. But he remembered more than just their first argument. He also recalled the incident in which he had commented that she appeared to be a tea drinker.

 "Do you want tea or coffee, Ma'am?" Edward then retorted, "Mujhe lagata hai ki use chaay pasand hogi kyonki vah us tarah ki insaan dikhati hai(I suppose she might like tea because she looks like that kind of person.)" She seemed irritated, wondering why I felt forced to choose for her. "One cup of coffee please, with a little touch of cream and brown sugar." He appeared impressed by her response. "Bhagavaan ka shukr hai ki aapane chaay nahi chuni. Aajakal usaka sevan bhi kaun karata hai(Thank God you didn't choose tea. Who even consumes that these days?)" His comment irritated her. "Har subah, meri maan chaay ki chuski leti hai. Kya yah aapake liye koi chinta ka vishay hai(Every morning, my mother sips tea. Is that of any concern to you?)" Then he said sheepishly, "My mother and sister do, too. Sorry."

Memorable moments from their voyage had continued, such as their club dance while attempting to flee Tony, the man who had been chasing Anna nonstop.

With their bodies and hearts syncing to the music, Edward and Anna danced flawlessly together on the dance floor. As they swayed to the beat, the world around them appeared to vanish, their passion evident in their eyes.He would never forget their audacious plan to flee the wedding while Tony and his thugs pursued them. 

Their hands were clenched together as they made their way through the mayhem and crowds of people. They were united by an unbreakable bond, and their will to keep Anna safe kept them going.

They had a shared pain and an unspoken affection at their farewell at the train station as the moving song played in the background.

Their laughter had been the most sincere during the simpler, more private times, such as the incident involving the coconut water. Edward's tenacious efforts to get the rebellious coconut back resulted in shared giggles and a bond that a single coconut could not break. Then there was the day it rained and they ate moong dal pakoras from the dhaba with mint chutney.

As they stood under the umbrella, the rain creating a serene backdrop, they shared moong dal pakodas and conversation, each bite becoming a testament to the depth of their connection.

Edward was tormented by the beauty of these memories and the anguish of his unspoken love. The days of isolation were filled with vivid recollections, a vivid tapestry of moments that he had once hoped would lead to something more.